Aviana:"I am going to tell you why I had Bodo arrested!...(*Lady Ælswith took a deep breath*)...it all started when Sihtric took care of his mare! I decided on the spur of the moment to ask Bodo for help..."
Lady Ælswith:(*swallowed*)"Ana, please tell me he did not do anything to you!...(*Aviana lowered her head*)...may his soul burn in hell!"
Aviana:"So when I asked Bodo for help, he started insulting me!...(*Steapa clenched his fists*)...then he dragged me into his house, beat me, tied me up and continued to insult me..."
Lady Ælswith:(*her eyes widened*)"Did he touch you against your will, Aviana?!...(*Aviana nodded*)...my poor girl..."
Aviana:"I will not go into the details, but I hope you now understand why I had him arrested!...(*she looked at Sihtric*)...finally, one more thing: I have never felt so worthless and dirty..."
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She looked her mother deep into her brown eyes before tears rolled down her cheeks and she stormed out of the throne room! Sihtric excused himself and went after his wife...she ran towards their chambers and right before them she stopped! She heard Sihtric's footsteps and somehow she thought he was Bodo...so she turned around and slapped him! The slap echoed through the hallway and Sihtric's facial expression, was a mix between anger and confusion! Aviana immediately felt bad and apologised the moment she realised, that Sihtric stood in front of her and not Bodo! Sihtric took a deep breath before he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to his chest! She cried into his shirt and he rested his head on hers...they stood there for about 10 minutes before Aviana calmed down again...
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Aviana:"Oh my God Sihtric, I am so incredibly sorry!...(*Sihtric tried to reassure her*)...I did not mean to slap you...I thought you were someone else!"
Sihtric:(*kissed her temple*)"Ana, it is all right do not worry about it!...(*Aviana shook her head*)...baby, please calm down!"
Aviana:"Sihtric, I am really sorry!...(*tears rolled down her cheeks*)...can you forgive me?"
Sihtric:(*nodded*)"Of course I can, Ana!...(*he sighed*)...but you really need to calm down!"
Aviana:"Where is Samarthia?!...(*Sihtric looked at Aviana*)...I have not seen her since breakfast!"
Sihtric:(*took a deep breath*)"I brought her to Hild, Ana!...(*Aviana exhaled with relief*)...so you do not have to worry about her!"
~~~~~~
Aviana lowered her head and opened the door to their chambers! Sihtric followed her and helped her to take off her dress and put on her nightgown! Then she got into bed and waited for Sihtric to join her, but he did not! He promised Uhtred and the other two to join them in an ale house! Aviana rolled her eyes but let him go anyway...after he was gone, she burst out into tears! The next morning: Aviana woke up and Sihtric was not lying besides her! She started to worry, got up, got dressed and then left their chambers! She walked towards the throne room, opened the door and was greeted by Samarthia! She kissed her daughters head and widely smiled at her...but Sihtric was not here either!
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Samarthia:"Mother, are you looking for father?...(*Aviana nodded*)...I have not seen him today either!"
Aviana:(*raised an eyebrow*)"Father has not been here yet, my darling?...(*Samarthia shook her head*)...should I be worried?"
Samarthia:"I do not think so, mother!...(*Aviana sat down*)...can I go back to Hild later?"
Aviana:(*nodded*)"I will bring you to Hild after breakfast!...(*Samarthia widely smiled*)...after that, I am going to look for your father!"
~~~~~~
The doors opened and Aviana turned her head! Her sister Æthelflæd and her brother Edward came running into the throne room, widely smiling! Lady Ælswith and Uhtred followed them closely! Finan and Osferth joined them moments later, but still no Sihtric! Aviana decided to ask Uhtred, whether he knew where Sihtric is!
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Aviana:"Uhtred, do you know where my husband is?...(*Uhtred lowered his head*)...yes or no?"
Uhtred:(*cleared his throat*)"Yes, I know where Sihtric is!...(*Aviana raised an eyebrow*)...but you will not like it..."
Finan:"To be honest: Sihtric fell asleep in the ale house!...(*Aviana sighed*)...he just could not be woken up!"
Samarthia:(*giggled*)"He probably just does not want to be woken up!...(*Aviana slightly laughed*)...try again later!"
Lady Ælswith:"He will join us when he is awake!...(*Edward looked at his mother*)...Edward, darling, what would you like to eat?"
Edward:(*thought briefly*)"I would love a piece of bread and some fruit!...(*Lady Ælswith nodded and handed him a plate*)...thank you, mother!"
~~~~~~
Aviana finished eating and brought Samarthia to Hild's house! When she reached it, she knocked and Hild soon opened the door! Widely smiling she let Samarthia in and hugged Aviana tight! After the little interaction Aviana went to the ale house, Sihtric was supposed to be asleep in! She entered the wooden building and immediately all eyes were on her and she instantly spotted Sihtric! She walked over to the table, sat down besides him and began kissing his neck! He immediately woke up and turned his face in her direction...on his face formed a wide grin and he kissed her forehead!
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Sihtric:"Is this a dream or are you real?...(*Aviana laughed*)...whichever it is: you are beautiful!"
Aviana:(*blushed*)"Stop it, you are flattering me!...(*Sihtric smiled*)...I heard you fell asleep here, so I thought it was time to pay you a visit!"
Sihtric:"I swear I wanted to come to you but I was just too tired!...(*Aviana rubbed his right cheek*)...did you at least sleep well?"
Aviana:(*shook her head*)"I had a feeling that you were not lying next to me and when I woke up, my feeling was confirmed!...(*he lowered his head*)...did you at least have a nice evening?"
Sihtric:"I should have spent it with you, I am sorry, Ana!...(*Aviana waved it off*)...how is Samarthia?"
Aviana:(*smiled*)"I just brought her to Hild!...(*Sihtric laughed*)...there she probably paints the usual: flowers!"
~~~~~~
Sihtric nodded and after a while they left the ale house! Aviana and Sihtric walked towards the palace, when Osferth came running outside, yelling Aviana's name! She frightened when she saw his pale face and she immediately asked, what the matter was! Osferth was totally frantic and Sihtric tried to calm him down! Nothing on earth could prepare the two of them, of what happened next...
~~~~~~
Sihtric:"Osferth, what is going on?...(*Osferth remained silent*)...please talk to us!"
Osferth:(*lowered his head*)"It is...it is about Edward!...(*Aviana's face froze*)...he...he is breathing really heavily and your mother does not know what to do..."
Aviana:"What did he eat, Osferth?...(*Osferth shrugged his shoulders*)...has anyone checked the food for poison?"
Osferth:(*nodded*)"There was nothing wrong with the food!...(*Aviana lowered her head*)...do you know anyone who might know what is wrong with him?!"
Sihtric:"Get a healer and Hild!...(*Aviana shot him a confused look*)...when a sickness is circulating, we need all the help we can get!"
~~~~~~
Osferth nodded and disappeared! Aviana immediately ran into the palace and walked towards the throne room! Sihtric followed her and together they entered the room! Lady Ælswith was crying and Æthelflæd was scared! Uhtred, Finan and Steapa did not know what to do, so they just stood there! When Aviana approached her mother, she immediately turned her head and locked eyes with her daughter! Aviana placed a hand on Lady Ælswith's right shoulder and Sihtric walked over to the three men! Steapa nodded at him and Uhtred sighed! Edward lay there on the floor, not moving just choking! Æthelflæd and Aviana were worried about their brother and fear rose inside them...
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Lady Ælswith:"Have you found a healer?!...(*Aviana shook her head*)...do you think he will survive this?!"
Aviana:(*sighed*)"I do not know but Osferth is looking for a healer at this very moment!...(*Lady Ælswith lowered her head*)...have hope, mother!"
Sihtric:"Edward will survive, I firmly believe that!...(*Aviana looked at him*)...we should take him to his chambers!"
Steapa:(*lifted his head*)"That is a very good idea, Sihtric!...(*Sihtric slightly smiled*)...on the count of three we lift him up...one, two, three, now!"
~~~~~~
The two men lifted Edward up and carried him towards his chambers and onto his bed! Osferth soon returned with a healer and Lady Ælswith immediately sent him to Edward's chambers! Aviana waited for Uhtred and Finan before she walked towards Æthelflæd's chambers! Sihtric soon joined them and together they calmed Æthelflæd down! Lady Ælswith and Steapa walked back to the throne room and Lady Ælswith sat down immediately...she was exhausted! Steapa lowered his head and after a while, Aviana entered the throne room...
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Aviana:"Æthelflæd has calmed down a little!...(*Lady Ælswith exhaled with relief*)...however, I fear that she will not sleep peacefully tonight!"
Finan:(*lowered his head*)"Ana, tonight none of us will be able to sleep peacefully!...(*Aviana sighed*)...and it would probably be best if you slept with your sister in her chambers tonight!"
Aviana:"And should I give my daughter back to Hild?...(*Finan shook his head*)...I don't want to put Sihtric through being alone with Samarthia when I know she'll go crazy when she realises I'm not there..."
Sihtric:(*he pulled her into a tight hug*)"Don't worry about me!...(*Aviana snuggled against his chest*)...Samarthia and I will get through this night somehow! And tomorrow morning, everything will be better, I promise you!"
Lady Ælswith:"I pray that you are right, Sihtric!...(*Sihtric turned his head*)...now if you'll excuse me: I'm going to check on my son!"
~~~~~~
Aviana nodded and watched as her mother disappeared! Even after a couple of minutes, Sihtric still had not let go of her! Uhtred, Finan and Osferth were now sitting at the table, not daring to say a word! Steapa, as loyal as he was, stayed by Aviana's side and did not once had the thought of leaving her! The next morning: Edward was slightly feeling better and Samarthia did not go as crazy as Aviana expected her to! Sihtric braided her hair, whilst Osferth helped her choosing her dress for the day! When Aviana entered her chambers, Samarthia immediately smiled at her and showed her, her newest dress! Aviana immediately shot Sihtric a questioning look, knowing that he was so enchanted by their daughter, that he bought her everything, her heart desired! After Samarthia got dressed, she took her mother by the hand and dragged her to Edward's chambers! A cold shiver ran down Aviana's spine and she did not know, how to handle this situation...
~~~~~~
Aviana:"Samarthia, sweetheart, why don't you go play in the garden for a bit?...(*Samarthia thought about it for a moment*)...then I can go check on uncle Edward in peace, okay?"
Samarthia:(*nodded*)"Will you give him this flower?...(*she pressed the flower into her mothers hands*)...I picked the flower for him! It should give him the strength he needs to get well again!"
Aviana:"Very thoughtful of you, my little sun!...(*Samarthia giggled*)...I love you and now go and play in the garden! Father won't say no if you ask him to play!"
Samarthia:(*she pressed a kiss to her mothers right cheek*)"I love you too, mother!...(*she turned around*)...say hello to uncle Edward for me too, will you?"
~~~~~~
Aviana nodded and watched as her daughter walked towards the big door, leading to the garden! When she entered Edward's chambers, he turned his head and weakly smiled at his big sister! Aviana sat down on his bed and squeezed his hand slightly! She remembered him being sick, when their father was still alive...and back then she was as helpless as she was now! Edward somehow noticed, that his condition troubled her and sat up straight to give her the hug, that she deserved! He admired his big sister for the strength that she had and for her good heart...he never met anyone as kind hearted and loving as his big sister! She was his rock, best friend and blasphemy partner! They loved each other more than anything and it pained him to see Aviana like this...
~~~~~~